Holy Land

in the Land of Jesusaccompanied by the Gospel of Luke

A journey that touches the essential places of the life of Jesus. This itinerary is especially recommended for those that are approaching the Holy Land for the first time. In this itinerary we will read and meditate on those biblical passages related to the biblical sites that we will visit, especially the Gospel of Luke, the gospel for this liturgical year.

Travel Itineraryday by day

Day 1

ROME / TEL AVIV / NAZARETH

Day 2

NAZARETH / MOUNT TABOR / CANA

Day 3

LAKE TIBERIAS / CAPERNAUM

Day 4

JERICHO / BETHLEHEM

Day 5

MASADA / DEAD SEA / AIN KAREM

Day 6

UPPER ROOM / WESTERN WALL

Day 7

MOUNT OF OLIVES / VIA DOLOROSA

Day 8

JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV

Day 1

ROME / TEL AVIV / NAZARETH

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost” (Lk 19:10)

Departing flight from Rome to Tel Aviv (direct flight). Arrival in Ben Gurion airport. Transfer to Nazareth, in the green and fertile Galilee region. Arrival in Nazareth and check-in to the hotel.

Day 2

NAZARETH / MOUNT TABOR / CANA

“When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Lk 2:39-40)

In the morning, ascent to Mount Tabor to visit the Shrine of the Transfiguration, an anticipation of the Resurrection; stop by Cana to renew marriage vows. In the afternoon, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation with the archeological Museum, the Church of St. Joseph which was the house of the Holy Family, and the greek orthodox Church of St. Gabriel (aka Mary's well church). Today we read the Gospel passage of the Annunciation of the angel Gabriel unto Mary.

Day 3

LAKE TIBERIAS / CAPERNAUM

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”(Lk 15:8-10)

Departure for the Lake of Tiberias, where Jesus accomplishes his work of evangelization calling his first disciples and healing from sicknesses: ascend the Mount of Beatitudes where we commemorate the "Sermon on the Mount"; visit the benedictine church of the Multiplication of the loaves and the fish, and the franciscan church of the Primacy of St. Peter in Tabgha; visit Capernaum with the synagogue and the house of St. Peter. Visit Magdala, the village of Mary Magdalen, disciple of Jesus. Return to Nazareth for dinner and overnight.

Day 4

JERICHO / BETHLEHEM

After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying,
heaven was opened and the holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk 3:21-22)

Descend to the Jordan valley and stop by Jericho with a view on the Mount of Temptation and by Qasr el Yahud across from "Bethany beyond the Jordan" to renew our baptismal promises. Ascend to Bethlehem, birthplace of Jesus. Visit Shepherds' Field. Visit the Church of the Nativity with the grotto where Jesus was born, and the franciscan church of St. Catherine where we visit the Grotto of Saint Jerome. Today we will read the Birth of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke. Check-in to the hotel in Bethlehem. Today we read the Gospel passage of the Birth of Jesus.

Day 5

MASADA / DEAD SEA / AIN KAREM

“Because of the tender mercy of our God by which the daybreak from on high will visit us
to shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Lc 1:78-79)

Departure for the Herodian fortress of Masada. Prayerful moment in the Judean desert and continue towards Ain Karem where we visit the Church of the Birth of St. John the Baptist and the Shrine of the Visitation, where Mary proclaimed the Magnificat. Today we read the Gospel passage of the lost sheep. Return to Bethlehem.

Day 6

UPPER ROOM / WESTERN WALL

At this, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.” The Jews answered him,
“We do not have the right to execute anyone,” in order that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled that he said indicating the kind of death he would die.
So Pilate went back into the praetorium and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”(Jn 18:31-33)

In the morning transfer to Jerusalem to visit Mount Sion: the Room of the Last Supper, where we read the Gospel passage of the Last Supper and of Pentecost; the Church of the Dormition of Mary; St. Peter in Gallicantu, where we commemorate the denial of Peter on the night of Jesus' Passion. In the afternoon stop by the Kotel (the Western Wall of the Temple Mount), passing through the Jewish neighborhood. Visit the Church of St. Ann and the Pool of Bethesda. Check-in to the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 7

MOUNT OF OLIVES / VIA DOLOROSA

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them, and when the disciples saw this, they rebuked them(Lk 18:14-15)

In the morning visit the Garden of the Righteous (Yad Vashem) and continue to the Mount of Olives: Chapel of the Ascension, the Church of Dominus Flevit. Today we read the Gospel passage of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the places where it took place: the Garden of Gethsemane and the Basilica of the Agony, where we commemorate Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Olives. Visit the orthodox church of the Tomb of Mary. In the afternoon Via Dolorosa from the Church of the Flagellation to Calvary, following the Stations of the Via Crucis. Today we read the Gospel passage of the Prodigal Son (or better, the Merciful Father). Entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, place of the Resurrection. Time for prayer, read the Gospel passage of the Resurrection. Return to the hotel in Jerusalem.

Day 8

JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV

And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures (Lc 24 23-25).

application for the entrance visa to Israel for groups departing to Tel Aviv from Rome

transportation in private coach as per the itinerary for the entirety of the pilgrimage

visits as per the itinerary, including the following entrances and services: Museum of the Annunciation; 2 way taxi service at Mount Tabor; boat crossing of Lake Tiberias; Capernaum; Magdala; Masada; Church of St. Anne; Chapel of the Ascension; Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu

accomodation 3 nights in Nazareth, 2 nights in Bethlehem and 2 nights in Jerusalem, in second class hotels (two-bed room with private bathroom)

full board from the dinner of the first day to the breakfast of the last day (drinks not included)

tips

document holder

wireless tour system

biblical guide enabled by the Episcopal Commission for Christian pilgrimages in the Holy Land throughout the pilgrimage

airport assistance from our staff (when departing from Rome)

insurance: assistance, medical expenses, luggage

OUR FEES DO NOT INCLUDE

drinks at meals

extras in general

porterage

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: signed and valid passport (usually required to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date from Tel Aviv, but in any case please check with the Israeli Embassy in your own country for the exact requirements).

In order to obtain the entrance visa for Israel it is necessary to send a picture of each passport to ORP within a month from the departure date for the pilgrimage, in those cases where ORP will assist in requesting the visas (when the group is departing from Italy).

WHO CAN SIGN UP

For non-Italian speaking pilgrims we can only take group requests, and we can organize a personalized experience with the group leader. Please contact our offices in order to receive information and pricing.

No dates available for this pilgrimage

Our offices

Headquarter Offices
Palazzo del Vicariato

Via della Pigna, 13/a - 00186 Rome ITALY

Monday to Friday
9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM (CEST)

Office at St. John Lateran Diocesan Offices
Palazzo Lateranense

Piazza di Porta S. Giovanni, 6 - 00184 Rome ITALY

Monday to Friday
9 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM

Offices at St. Peter's
Palazzo dei Propilei

Piazza Pio XII, 9 (Saint Peter Square) - 00193 Rome ITALY

Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM (CEST)
Only for Roma Cristiana services:Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 6 PMSaturday from 8:30 AM to 5 PMSundays and Holidays from 9 AM to 4 PM